During my trip to WDW I hope to eat at a number of signature restaurants. Since I will be staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas, Jiko is probably a given. I would like to visit three other sign. eateries. These are the ones that I am considering: California Grill, Flying Fish, Brown Derby, Artist Point, and Yachtsman Steakhouse. I guess I should also consider Citricos and Narcoossee's at the Grand Floridian;). That is just about all of them, isn't it?:fez:

In your opinion which are the best or gives the best value. I hope Cal. Grill and one of the Grand Floridian restaurants are among the most recommended cafes. But if not, c'est la vie.

Thanks.

I've eaten at all except Flying Fish and Citricos.

I've eaten at California Grill, Artists Point, Brown Derby and Jiko, in some fashion, twice.

I'm trying very hard show some discipline and try Citricos and Flying Fish before I do any of the others again, but the two that it would be easiest for me to skip for a 2nd or 3rd trip would be Brown Derby and Narcoossee's. I wasn't overly impressed with the service at the Brown Derby (might be a 'feature' of being a signature in a park and not a resort) - and Narcoossee's seemed almost too casual in decor for a signature restaurant, but that might be a personal bias I have. It's very beachy feeling, and to my brain, beach=casual.

But I honestly don't think you can go wrong with any of them.

I must say that the Hollywood Brown Derby was one of the worst in-park dining experiences we ever had. Poor service and just average food. That is the one on your list we would never do again.

Our favorite was Jiko. Best service we found and some very good food.

Even though it's no longer listed as a signature location we also love Coral Reef on the top end of dining. Lots of kids and being in the park are a couple drawbacks there but great service and food.

I'd second the Jiko's recommendation. That's probably my favorite place to eat here in Orlando. If you go there for a special event (honeymoon, anniversary, etc) they even throw in a free pistachio dessert that's pretty good.

I must say that the Hollywood Brown Derby was one of the worst in-park dining experiences we ever had. Poor service and just average food. That is the one on your list we would never do again.

Our favorite was Jiko. Best service we found and some very good food.

Even though it's no longer listed as a signature location we also love Coral Reef on the top end of dining. Lots of kids and being in the park are a couple drawbacks there but great service and food.

Thanks for the info on the Brown Derby. Jiko will be a certainty since, like I have said, we will be at the AKL.

I totally agree in the Coral Reef. It is one of my favorites. The kids don't bother me (especially when I have two *very* rambunctious grandsons---2 years, 7 months old; 11 months old) and I love the aquariums with the scuba divers et al.

However, I never knew that it had been a signature restaurant. When did it lose that classification?

I've eaten at the Brown Derby every year & 1/2 or so, and have never had a bad experience - great food with great service. Sometimes a restaurant or a server can have an off night, but I've never had one there. On the other hand, as much as I've loved the Coral Reef over the years, my last meal there a month ago was pretty average. Still OK service, but the menu was very limited. The food was fine, but not spectacular like it's been before.

For my money, the California Grill is the greatest restaurant on the planet. Try the bbq marinated beef tenderloin, and maybe a sushi appetizer - simply wonderful, with a view that can't be beat!

I've eaten at all of those restaurants except Citrico's and Artist's Point.

I'd choose Flying Fish and California Grill.

I wouldn't put Brown Derby in the same league as the others at all. I'd book a nice lunch there if you want (great Cobb Salad) but no in-park restaurants compare with the not in park ones.

The only one of those I've eaten at recently is Artist Point, about a month ago. I used to love it. The latest experience was sub-par. My steak was nearly flavorless and tough (my husband's was wonderful, grr) and the service was nonchalant and forgetful. She seemed to think that the free toast of champagne for our anniversary would be enough to make up for forgetting we existed for the rest of the night.

I agree with the Brown Derby food being average. Not worth a sig at all.

The sigs I've done:

CA Grill
Narcoosee's
Brown Derby
CRT

My bro did Artist Point and said it was decent. Of the ones I've been too, I liked CA Grill the best. The food was good and the view was terrific. If you can get a window seat during the fireworks, huge bonus!

I haven't been to any of the others, so I can't do comparisons for you.

However, my wife and I very much enjoyed the Flying Fish when we ate there last April. :D